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Pooler man, Savannah woman busted with pills

Matthew Hankey

Paula Bruner

Laperia Mydell

Two people have been arrested again by the Chatham-Savannah Counter Narcotics Team following an operation Monday afternoon.

Within the past month, CNT received information that 32-year-old Matthew Hankey of Pooler was selling Roxicodone pills. Agents were familiar with Hankey as he had been previously arrested by CNT for manufacturing marijuana, said Gene Harley, CNT spokesman.

On Monday, undercover CNT agents purchased Roxicodone pills from Hankey. Agents continued surveillance on Hankey and took him into custody without incident following what appeared to be a drug transaction at a car wash in Pooler.

A search of Hankey’s person and vehicle resulted in the seizure of Roxicodone pills, various other prescription pills and more than $1,600 in cash. Also arrested was 30-year-old Paula Bruner of Savannah, who was with Hankey. Bruner was found to be in unlawful possession of Roxicodone, Harley said. Two vehicles were also seized.

Monday’s arrest of Hankey marks his seventh arrest in Chatham County and his third arrest by CNT. Bruner’s arrest marks her seventh arrest in Chatham County and her third arrest by CNT since 2011. Both Hankey and Bruner were on probation or a similar type release from previous CNT cases at the time of Monday’s arrest.

Hankey was charged with sale of a controlled substance (Roxicodone), possession of a controlled substance with intent to distribute (Roxicodone) and use of a telecommunication device. Bruner was charged with possession of a controlled substance (Roxidocone). Both Hankey and Bruner are being held in the Chatham County jail.

Hit-and-run victim’s mother arrested

An Effingham County woman whose toddler was struck by a hit-and-run driver on New Year’s Eve has been arrested.

Laperia Mydell, 23, of Rincon, has been charged with cruelty to children in the first degree.

The investigation showed the mother left 3-year-old Jordan Mydell alone in an apartment at Goshen Crossing Apartments while she went shopping at a nearby gas station, Effingham County Sheriff’s Office spokesman David Ehsanipoor said.

“The toddler was able to leave the apartment and run across Ga. 21 near Goshen Road,” Ehsanipoor said.

The little boy was struck by a vehicle traveling north on the divided roadway.

Investigators have reported the vehicle may have been a late 1990s model Chevrolet Tahoe or GMC Suburban.

The child has been released from the hospital and is in the care of the Department of Family and Children Services.

Ehsanipoor said the sheriff’s office is still attempting to identify the hit-and-run driver and locate the vehicle.

“Anyone with information is urged to contact the sheriff’s office at 912-754-3449,” Ehsanipoor said.

Mydell is being held in the Effingham County Jail.

Compiled by Josh Rayburn

and DeAnn Komanecky

ON THE WEB

To see pictures and details for individuals serving their initial incarceration in Chatham County, as reported by the Chatham County Sheriff’s Office, go to ChathamCountyBooked.com.